Aaliyah Biopic Faces Backlash

Aaliyah's family opposes the biopic and urges fans to do the same.

Late singer and actress Aaliyah was loved by millions of fans. Many of them wish to see a biopic fitting of her legacy and have spoken out about the planned production of a Lifetime biopic about the singer. Not only have Aaliyah’s fans objected to the biopic in which Zendaya Coleman has been cast to portray the late singer, but Aaliyah’s family represented by her uncle Barry Hankerson released an open letter revealing that the Haughton family was unhappy that producers failed to reach out to them for approval. The letter urges that fans continue to call for the biopic to be blocked by bombarding Lifetime with calls, emails and letters.

Reportedly the film will delve into the relationship that Aaliyah had with R. Kelly. As many recall, in 1994, the two secretly wed when Aaliyah was 15, while Kelly was 27. Executive producer Debra Martin Chase told Page Six, “Aaliyah’s personal and professional relationship with R. Kelly will be explored with care in the film as we set out to depict her life with the utmost respect. Above all else, it’s our hope to inspire an entirely new generation with her music and larger-than-life talent.”

The marriage between R. Kelly and Aaliyah was later annulled by Aaliyah’s family months later in 1995.